gardner



(No Model.) 3 sheew-,sheet 2v.

W. F.' GARDNER. ELECTRIC TIME SYSTEM` Patented Jan. `31, 1898.

No. 190,744l

(No Model.) 3 sheets-sheet a.

WTG-ARDNBB. ELECTRIC TIME SYSTEM.

N0. 490,744. Patented Jan. 31, 1893.

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UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

VVILIIIAM F. GARDNER, OF WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA.

ELECTRIC TIME SYSTEM.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 490,744, dated January 31, 1893.

Original application tiled December 13, 1888, Serial No. 293,452. Divided and this application filed September 4, 1891. Serial No. 404,760. (No model.) Patented in France December l0, 1889, No. 201,080.

To all whom/ it may concern:

Be it known that l, WILLIAM F. GARDNER, a citizen of the United States, residing at Washington, in the District of Columbia, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Time Systems, (for which Letters n Patent were granted mein France on the th day of December, 1889, No. 201,080,)of which the following is a specification, reference being had therein to the accompanying drawings.

In the accompanying drawings I illustrate one ofthe forms of apparatus that can be used to carry out the present invention, which relates to improvements in the art of transmitting and receiving time-signals, and in the method of operating and testing the electric circuits of a time system. The claims relatm ing to the apparatus I have presented in other applications, towit; Serial No.`377,024, tiled January 7, 1891, and Serial No. 293,452, tiled December 13, 1888, and ot' which latter the present application is a division.

Figure l, is a diagrammatic view showing an observatory or central transmitting station and some ot the parts included in outside stations. Fig. 2, is a similar view showing somewhat Inore extensively some of the ways of applying my improved system. Fig. 3, is a diagrammatic view of the transmitting` mechanism.

First., referring to what I herein term the observatory station, I have represented in Figs. 1, 2 as forming parts thereof an astronomical clock at A, a mean time clock at B, a transmittin g clock at C, and a chronograph at I), in connection with Various electrical circuits, as at l, 1,4-2, 2, 2-3, 3,--a and 4, 4X, 4l 4Z. The first three being operated by a common battery at E, and the latter by a battery at G.

The astronomical clock A is in circuit with a marking instrument of the chronograph by` means of the parts 1,1, l, there being a switch at u, and binding posts at a2, a3, together with the key a in a cross circuit 1X, adapted to short circuit or cut out the clock A. The

circuit 2, .2, also connected with the marking instrument, ot the chronograph, there being a cut out or short circuit key at b. The wires of the circuit 2, 2, 2, are fastened to the binding posts b2, b3. Clock B being in operation its impulses will be indicated by the marking instruments at D2 ot the chronograph. Both the clocks A and B being in operation their impulses will be indicated at the same point. It their impulses are synchronous, but one mark will be made for each impulse, but if they are not, each clock will exhibit its indications separately from those of the other, and in this way, a comparison can be readily made.

The transmitting clock C contains mechanism substantially similar to that shown and described in my earlier patent No. 287,015, dated October 23, 1883, said mechanism comprising two sets of devices for making and breaking an electric circuit, one set having in circuit the parts 4, 4X, 4V, and the other having the parts 4, 4X, and 4Z, there being a common battery Gr, and a repeater F. The iirst set of make and break devices is utilized to transmit certain predetermined impulses or preliminary time signals, and the second set transmits a final signal, or electric impulse, such as I employ for synchronizing clocks at a distance from the transmitting clock C, all of which will be fully understood by a reference to the aforesaid patent. But I do not wish the present invention to be in all respects limited to devices eXactly similar to those in that patent.

By turning the switch c, to the left, a current from battery G passe-s through the circuit having parts 4, 4X, 4y and through the repeater to the preliminary signaling devices; by turning it to the right it passes through the circuit having the parts 4, 4x, 4Z, and the signaling or synchronizing or controlling device.

The repeater F has two pointsff. The point f is adapted to close the above mentioned circuit 3, 3, 3, through the battery E, it being a circuit also including the markinginstrument of the chronograph at D, and having the terminals of the wires secured to the binding posts c2, c3. If the switch c be closed,the impulse of the transmitting clock C will be indicated by the motion of the repeater lever at IOO F closing the contact at f, and if the switch at c be closed the said impulse of the transmitting clock will be also indicated by the marking instrument at D2. By means of the devices arranged in this way, or one substantially similar thereto, it will be seen that an accurate visual comparison can be made between the clocks A, B, and C, two or more. Ordinarily in practice, a comparison is first made of the clocks A, B, the astronomical clock and the mean time clock, for the purpose of ascertaining the error of thelatter, at the time of the comparison, the meantime clock being allowed to remain unchanged or uncorrected although its daily or other varia.- tious are carefully noted. Then, after the comparison of these has been completed, by means ofthe chronograph, the mean time clock and the transmitting clock C are similarly compared, the circuit 2, 2, 2, being closed for the one and the circuits 3, 3, 3, and il, 4X, fly, for the other. lf, as a result of said comparison it is ascertained that the transmitting clock C is slightly out of true time, it is accelerated to such an extent as to advance it to the proper point, it and the mean ti me clock B still remaining in circuit with the chronograph, which latter indicates the acceleration. On the other hand if the clock C is too fast, it is retarded un'til the chronograph indicates that it is at the proper point in relation to the mean time clock B.

Suppose that the transmitting clock C has been so changed as to indicate absolutely correct time,lwill describe the manner of transmitting by it, electric impulses which can be utilized to convey a program ot' signals or to control, regulate or synchronize distant clocks. rlhe point atf, of the repeater F, above referred to, is in a circuit ll., ll, with a local battery at H, there being in this circuit ll, an electric magnet I', of a multiple pointed repeater I. At h, there is a switch whereby this local circuit l1, can be opened and closed as desired. The repeater at l, can be provided with as many points as there are main lines from which it is desired to transmit the impulses for signaling, correcting, synchronizing or other purposes. As shown, the repeater has three contact arms, t', i', t2, see Fig. 2, with three contact points j, j,j2. Each has an earth connection j3,j4,j5, and is or may be connected by branches to a main line circuit, one indicated by 5, 5, 5, another by 6, 6, 6x, and a third by 7, 7, 7"'.

For the purpose of illustrating and describing some of the various uses to which the invention can be applied, let it be supposed that the circuit 5, 5, 5, is one extending out from the observatory station for the sole purpose of operating, controlling, regulating or synchronizing clocks, or for transmitting time signals; that the circuit 6, 6, 6X, extends out from the said station for the purpose of transmitting signals along the line of one or more railways, and for operating, controlling, or synchronizing the clocks thereon; and that the circuit 7, 7, 7X, extends out from the signals and for regulating and controlling clocks along the line of a telegraph company extending to different points, at each of which it is desired to take from the main line, the signals or correcting or synchronizing impulses. As just said, the main line or circuit 6, G, 6X, is indicated as passing out from the observatory station to a series of railroad stations. The latter are generally indicated in Fig. l, by O P', there being for this circuit a battery at R, at some pointdistant from the observatory station. That is to say, the circuit 6, 6, may be regarded as one of the main telegraph lines now in use by railroads. It is provided with one or more switches such as at r3, by which the main line can be connected to the ground as at 9'5, outside of the observatory, or can be connected as at r4, to an observatory branch GX. As aforesaid, the said branch is in the observatory station connected to the arm fi', of the repeater I, the corresponding contact j, running to earth. This line 6, 6, 65, at the railroad station O, passes through the electro-magnet of a main line relay at I2, adapted to close one or more local circuits. In Fig. l a circuit is shown having two loops, one at l2, 12x, including battery R', and sounder R2, and the other at l2, 12Y, including battery R3, and clock Q, both including the switch fr, and the armature of relay 12. W'hen switch o', is at fr', the circuit through the sounder is closed and the clock cut out; when atrl, the clockis in circuit and the soundercut out. As generally, a relatively low electro-motive torce is required to operate the sounder, the battery R', is made weaker than the battery R3, the latter having a higher electro-motive force for the purpose of powerfully attecting the time signaling apparatus and also if desired, opening and closing secondary local circuits. At the station P', there is an arrangement of apparatus similar to that at 0', and of such stations, there may be as many as may be desired. Now at a predetermined time, say three or four minutes before itis expected to receive the time signal or the program of signals or a clock controlling or other impulse from the observatory station, the operator in the station at O', moves the switch r3, from point 715, to point rl. At the proper time thereafter, the operator in the observatory places the switch c, on point 4L" in the preliminary signal circuit of transmitting clock C, and the preliminary signal impulses are, through repeater F, felt in circuit l1, through the repeater l, in circuit 6, 6x, and through the repeater I', in circuit l2, 12X, where they are indicated to the operator by the sounder R2, switch fr, being at this time on the point fr'. After the preliminary signal 'or signals have been transmitted, the operator in the observatory moves switch c, to the point at 4Z, and the operator at station O', moves the switch r, to point r2, whereby the mechanism in the observa-tory is adjusted to send out the TOO IIO

final impulse and the circuit at the station is arranged to pass its impulse through the clock Q, the sounder being cut out. After switches c, and r, are thus adjusted, the next electric impulse caused through the last described series of circuits, results in setting the hands of the clock at Q to the predetermined point, it being for the present supposed that this clock is adapted for this purpose. Simultaneously, the clocks at station at P, and all others along the railway telegraph lineare eifected similarly, the various operators adj usting properly their switches r. After the final signaling or the synchronizing has been accomplished, the switch at fr, is moved to point r', and that at r3, to point 7'5, whereupon the telegraph line is in a normal condition for ordinary work.

In the observatory, there is an indicator at K3, in circuit 6, 6, which manifests to the attendant there, whether or not the line is receiving the signals sent out.

Referring now to the circuit 5, 5, 5, which, as above said, is intended solely for time signaling, or for actuating or regulating clocks directly from the observatory or transmitting station, it will be seen that said circuit either actually or possibly includes the earth connection jg, contacts j, t', switch at 7c, and pole changing switch at L, and battery K, a gal- Vanometer M, and polarized relay Il, and a switch at i115, all within the observatory or central transmitting station, and then the out-going line wire 5, 5, extending to the substations O, and I), tbc., there being at each of the latter, a polarized relay N', the stations being indefinite in number, andthe main line ultimately terminating in earth as shown at E2. The switch at m, cuts out or in the galvanometer M. The polarized relay N, opens or closes a circuit 8, S, including a small battery at n', a switch n3, armature n2, and a bell, clock or indicator N2. At each of the distant stations O, l), the., I prefer to have substantially the same apparatus. The armature nt, of the polarized relay N', closes local circuits 9, 9, having battery W5, magnet of repeater Q3, and switch Q3. Arms q, of repeater Q3, close the circuits l0, l0, l0, fcc., each including a signaling or clock controlling, actuating or synchronizing mechanism. The clocks adapted to be synchronized are shown at Q', Q2, each with its independent circuit, but there may be variation both as to the signal receiving devices and as to the number in a circuit.

Now if it be supposed that the switches h, is, p15, Q3, are all closed, it will be seen that an impulse in circuit et, 4:, lz will, (through repeaters F, I, N', and Q3) be experienced in circuits lO, IO, which can be indicated by signal receiving apparatus, or utilized to synchronize or otherwise to test the clocks Q', Q2. Vhen a circuit of the character of this at 5, 5, and its indicating devices, are connected with such a clock as that at Q', the switch 7e, is not closed until after the preliminary signals have been given (in cases where they are employed). But as soon as the switch c, is moved to the contact at 4Z, the switch 7c is closed so that the final impulse in the circuit 4, 4f, 4f, is experienced in the outgoing circuit 5, 5. Vhen so arranged, and switch la is open it is irnpossible to impart to the clocks Q', Q2, accidental impulses.

Still referring t0 the circuit 5, 5, and the parts therein, I will describe the method I have devised for testing. Experience shows that it is frequently necessary to test a circuit such as this, for the purpose of ascertaining whether there is any undue leakage, or a complete break, and also to locate a place of leakage or break if one is found to exist.

I prefer to locate the principal portion of the essential parts of the testing apparatus in the observatory or signal-transmitting station, but that is not necessary. Referring to Figs. l and 2, it will be seen that the fourpoint or pole-changing switch L is in such position as to turn a positive or direct current from battery K to line. Under such circumstances, the armatures n2, n4, of the polarized repeaters or relays N, N', are drawn toward the north poles n of the permanent magnets constituting part of the said repeaters, and the armatures n4 at the distant stations are brought against the contacts which close the local circuits 9, 9. That is to say, when a direct current is thrown to line 5, 5, from battery K, the clock circuits will be closed; and this is the case when the parts are being operated from the transmitting clock C in the way above described.

IOO

At some time when the line 5, 5, is idle, the i testing is accomplished as follows. First, the pole changing switch L is shifted, throwinga reverse current to line. This instantly throws the armature levers n2 n4 toward the south poles s of the permanent magnets, and away from the contacts that close the clock circuits, so that the latter will not be affected. Then the switch m is opened, which throws the galvanometer M into circuit. If the latter indicates the normal amount of resistance, it may ordinarily be presumed that the circuit is in working order. But if from these indications or from any other source of knowledge, a leakage or break should be `found to exist, the place can be ascertained as follows. At one of the series of stations O, I), duc, the switch g3 is opened preventing any liability of the clocks at that station being affected by the following manipulation. Then at that station, the terminals of the electromagnet of the polarized relay are reversed, either by changing the wires in the binding posts, or by a reversing switch as at L', Fig. 2. The result of this is to draw the armature 'n4 toward the north pole of the permanent magnet, that is, draw it in the same direction thatit is drawn when the clocks are to be affected, because although a reverse current is to line, it is traversing the coils in this particular station in a direction opposite to that in which it is trav- IOS IIO

ersing those in the other stations of the series. Therefore the armatures of all the other repeaters or relays will remain away from their local circuit contacts, and their clocks will be safe. The clock in the station which is being tested is safe by reason of the opening of the switch q3 above mentioned. Suppose that the first station tested is the middle one of the series. If, after the above acts have been performed, itis seen that the armature n4 at that station moves toward its contact, it is proven that there is no trouble on the line between that station and the battery. Thereupon the wire terminals are replaced, or the switch Llis put back to its normal position, the armature n* instantly leaving its contact and resting against the south pole s, and the switch g3 is again closed. Then the one testing the line goes to the next, or some other, station, more remote from the battery and repeats this series of steps. The tests are continued until a faulty point is discovered. In the mean time each and all of the clocks have been continuing in their normal movements without any interference from the electric impulses sent over the main line.

By means of the bell or indicator at N2, battery fn', and the other parts of circuit 8, 8, in the observatory, or transmitting station, the attendant can be informed as to when the local circuits are being closed and opened when the reverse current from battery K is to line.

From the above it will be seen that with my system, I can, from one and the saine transmitting or observatory station, operate several circuits differing materially from each other in their purpose and connections.

The third main line 7, 7, passing out from the observatory station, may be regarded as one of the long lines now used for telegraphing. It is shown as extending from the observatory station, first to the central office S4, of a city or important center. At such main office, the branch which extends to the observatory can be connected to the main line battery R4, by means of a switch r6. lVhen this switch is turned to the contact at rl, the observatory end of the line is cutoff and the wire at the telegraph station is grounded through the branch 7, The circuit 7, 7, involves the main line relay I2, adapted to close the local circuit 13, 13x, including a sounder R2, and having a switch yr, adapted to be put to either point 7", or r2. There is a clock shown at Q, for the convenience of the central telegraph station. This local circuit, together with the clock branch 13a, the sounder, the battery R', the relay and the main line 7, 7, is substantially similar to that in railway telegraph station O, above described. And in a similar manner, the operator at this station, by means of a switch r6, can get signals from the observatory and by means of his switch at r, can pass electrical impulses through the circuit 13, 13, including the clock Q4. As it is desired to transmit to numerous points throughout the city or region around this central telegraph station, to accomplish this, I pnt in the branch 13, of the local circuit a multiple repeater. That shown at I3, has points j, j7, against which the arms i3, fz?, can impinge. From the repeater arm t3, there passes a circuit indicated generally by 14:, 14, it comprising a switch 7c, a pole changing switch L, a battery K, a galvanometer M, a polarized relay N, a bell N2, a switch a5, and other parts similar to those above described as being included Within the observatory station, and there being, in addition thereto, a switch at ns, for a purpose to be described. The circuit 14, 1l, after passing out from its central station, extends out through more or less of the city to one and another' of a series of clock stations as illustrated at O2, and finally to earth. The clock station at O2, is substantially similar to that above described and shown at O, and the parts thereof need not be here again described in detail. The other arm of the repeater at I3, forms part of a circuit 15, 15, which, when closed, includes a battery at R, the battery being grounded on one side. This circuit 15, 15, extends out directly from the central or transmitting station under ordinary circumstances, it also passing out to one or another of a series of clock stations, each of which is provided with a polarized relay, a local circuit, a multiple repeater and one or more clock circuits as shown at O.

By means of the polarized relay, the battery K, and the pole changing switch L, of the central telegraph station now being described, and above referred to,it will be seen that the circuit 14E, 14, can be tested in the manner above set forth, for circuit 5, 5.

In order to test the circuit 15, 15, by means of the same apparatus and to avoid the necessity of duplicating them, I employ a branch circuit as shown at 15, which is adapted to be connected with the battery K, the galvanometer and the polarized relay, there beinga switch at nl, for cutting' out the battery Rig; if necessary, the circuit 1l, le, being cut out by the switch 016. The parts being properly related, it will be seen that the above described testing signals can be as readily sent over line 15,I5,as over line 14514. Although only two clock circuits are illustrated as cxtending from this station, it will be nuclei'- stood that any desired number of them may be used, it being only necessary to vary the multiple repeater at I, in such way as to accommodate all of the lines desired7 or to employ the system of repetition herein set forth by a local circuit of sufficient strength to operate a number of repeaters.

Considering further the circuit 7, 7, which, as -above said, may be regarded as a telegraph line largelyin use, I have indicated at S5, by dotted lines, another such station, which, however, may be regarded as including parts substantially similar to those j ust above described at the station at S4. At the next station S6,

on the main line 7, 7, another plan of distrib- IOO IIO

uting signals is illustrated. The station SG, is an ordinary telegraph station such as is found in the larger cities, the essential parts of which are shown, comprising those which time signals or for testing the signaling appaiatus, is situated at the central station. It is in a separate station O4, at a distance from the main telegraph station S6 being connected therewith by means of a circuit 16,16. This circuit is closed by repeater I4, at the telegraph oftice, from the main line. A time signal received at the telegraph office S6, over the mainline '7, 7, will be transmitted to the repeater` I5, in the central time station Ol. From this repeater, it is vtaken into a local circuit 17, which, with the exception ot its lacking a telegraph sounder, is substantially similar to that shown in the combined telegraph and time station S4. And, from this circuit 17, 17, it is transmitted in various directions, as for instance to the receiving stations 05, O6, by apparatus substantially similar to that in the station at S4. This transmitting station O4, also has a testing apparatus located therein.

I herein refer to a main line and also to local circuits and mean to be understood much in the ordinary sense. The main line hei'e is the initial or governing line receiving electric impulses in the tirst instance, and through the repeaters, transmitting it to the local circuits. Of course these terms are somewhat relative and are not to be considered as referring to the magnitude of a secondary circuit or the number of devices ineluded therein. Thus kthe line 5, 5, may be regarded as a main line in relation to the observatory appa 'atus and in relation to apparatus at such clock stations as at O, P. And a precisely similar line as at 15, 15, may be regarded asa local circuit in relation to the main line 7, 7, although it, (line 15, 15,) may not really be of greater magnitude than the line 5, 5; but in relation to the station S4, and the clock stations O2, O3, it may be regarded as a main line. Again, such a line as that at 6, 6, may both begin and terminate at points so remote from the station corresponding to the observatory station illustrated, that it is not practicable to connect it in the way shown; but in such case, the observatory branch Gf of line 6, 6, to the left ot point r4, can be connected with a station such as at S4, S5, S5, of some other telegraph lines, by devices such as are shown in the observatory station. vAnd, in such case, while the railroad telegraph line is, en one hand, a main line in respect to the various circuits opened and closed by it, it may be considered as a local circuit in so far as it is in turn opened and closed by the circuit 7, 7, or its equivalent.

It will be seen that time signal receiving devices can be employed in carrying out my system differing from the clocks and their attachments herein particularly shown, there being at the present time other Well known devices which can be used as equivalent for these herein to receive time signals, they being telephone bells, dmc., depending for their action on an electric impulse.

I herein mention telegraphic or telephonie Sounders, dac., and now mean to be understood as referring to the circuits and instruv ments ordinarily used in telegraphin g or telephoning during the greater part of the day for purposes of correspondence, or sending messages from point to point, but which, or some of which, I utilize during short intervals for the transmission of time signals.

It will be seen that if at any time the apparatus connecting the observatory (or the station from which the time signals are transmitted) and one ot the receiving stations, such as that shown at O', or S4, should be out ot order so that time signals could not be received at the last said station at the usual moment, the operator at said station can nevertheless synchronize, regulate or adjust the clocks or time signal receiving devices at theother stations along the line by means ot his key, ordinarily used for telegraphing, or by any other suitable device. At such time the local circuits, as at 12, the Sounders therein, and the clocks at the several stations can be treated in the same way as they can when use is made of a transmitting clock similar to that at C. When this is being done under such circiimstances it will be seen that such a station as that at O,or S4, is to be considered as a time signal transmitting station adapted to be connected to the main line, as I herein describe it, and that it contains time signal transmitting apparatus.

Vhat I claim is: ,A

l. The herein described improvement in the art ot' transmitting and receiving time signals, it consisting in sending from a transmitting station, a series of electric impulses of a predetermined number over the main line ot an electric telegraph circuit and lthrough a main line repeater to a local circuit, receiving a part of the said impulse in a telegraphic sounder or equivalent instrument in said local circuit, and then, before all' the said impulses have been transmitted, switching into the said local circuit one or more clocks or equivalent time signal receivingiustruments whereby the remaining said iin* pulse or impulses of the series are transmitted to the said clocks or instruments, substantially as set forth.

2. The herein described improvement in the art of transmitting and receiving time sig` nals, it consisting in sending from a transmitting station, a series ot electric impulses of a predetermined number over a main line and through a main line repeater to local circuits and of ditterent electro-motive force, receiving a part of said impulses in a telegraphic sounder in the weaker of said local IIO circuits, and tnen receiving the remainder of said impulse or impulses of the said series in the stronger local circuit, substantially as set forth.

3. The herein described improvement in the method of operating and testing the electric main line by imparting thereto a current of opposite polarity and reversing the direction in which the last said current traverses the magnets of the said polarized relays, substani 5 tially as set forth.

In testimony whereof I aiiivx mysiguature in circuits of a time signaling system,it consistl presence of two Witnesses. ing in imparting electric impulses to a main line, and causing said impulses to close local circuits, each through a polarized relay by a current of given polarity, and in testi ng such WILLIAM F. GARDNER. Witnesses:

MARCUS L. BYNG, J. C. STIER. 

